Explore: English Harbour
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General Info
COVID19: OPEN PORT
- See Yachting Protocols at Antigua Biosecurity.
- Most yachts anchor in Freeman Bay. Freeman Bay is frequently packed. Tidal currents can spin boats in multiple directions. You may anchor anywhere in the English Harbor waterway including past Slipway Marine.
- Anchor and fly the Q flag.
- Call Nelson’s Dockyard Marina and tell them you wish to clear in and where you are anchored. They will make all arrangements with the health inspector who will visit your boat.
- Do not go ashore until the health inspector has given you a pass.
- For yachts clearing-in or out of English Harbor, the current operating hours for Customs and Immigration is 08:00 to 15:45.
Description:
A centre for boating, this natural harbour has several protected bays which offer a variety of anchoring and moorage options as well as haul out facilities. The harbour is named for the Royal Navy, which established its base here during the eighteenth century. There are a variety of historic buildings in the bay including Nelson’s Dockyard, the former British Navy base. In 2016 Nelson’s Dockyard became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has restored buildings and other artefacts from the colonial period.
English Harbour is a short walk from the neighbouring Falmouth Harbour.
This port is a well known hurricane hole.
Cruiser Highlights:
Marinas; chandlery; boatyard; active cruising community; provisioning; bars and restaurants; bus and taxi service; hiking; sightseeing.
Cruising guides, apps and happy-hour chitchat can all be good sources of information for sailors in the Caribbean. Tune into the English Harbour Cruiser Net at 09:00 on VHF Channel 06, daily.
Entry Notes or Cautions:
Entering English Harbour during daylight is straightforward if you favour the Berkeley Point side of the channel (referred to on some charts as Barclay Point). On the Fort Charlotte side there is a reef.
A clear navigation channel must be maintained from Fort Berkeley to the inner harbour. Yachtsmen are requested not to obstruct the free passage of vessels to and from the inner harbour. The channel is now marked with red and green buoys
Position:
17° 00’24″N, 61° 45’49″W (harbour entrance)
Clearance
COVID-19 coronavirus: New procedures are in place for arriving yachts – see Biosecurity for details.
See the main Antigua Formalities page for full details and specific park fees payable in English and Falmouth Harbors.
General Clearance:
Yachts should anchor in the bay (Freeman’s Harbour) or go to a marina and hoist the Q flag. All offices are located in the old Officers’ Quarters building at Nelson’s Dockyard. There is an eSeaClear office in the same building, just two doors down from Customs and Immigration. If you can’t submit notification using your own computer in advance, you can do it here on arrival. There are three workstations and helpful staff (who belong to the company who wrote the software). Print out the paperwork as directed.
National Parks Fees related to anchoring in English and Falmouth Harbors must also be paid at the Dockyard port authority office in English Harbor, in the same building as customs and immigration.
See the main Antigua Formalities page for full details and specific park fees payable in English and Falmouth Harbors.
On departure from English Harbour, harbour fees must be paid to collect the port clearance certificate. Once registered with eSeaClear outgoing clearance and later re-entry is straightforward.
Last updated: January 2022
Docking
Anchorages:
The navigation channel from Fort Berkley to the inner harbour must be kept free.
There are four historic hurricane chains across the bottom of the harbour. Ask the Harbour Master at the Dockyard for details and advice.
Holding in the harbour can be poor, especially in bad weather.
Dinghy Docks:
Located behind the super yacht dock at Nelson’s Dockyard.
Marinas:
In English Harbour there is Nelson’s Dockyard Marina, which offers 30 stern-to berths with bow moorings and the Antigua Slipway and boat yard. While in nearby Falmouth Harbour there is the family run Catamaran Marina, the Antigua Yacht Club & Marina and the Falmouth Harbour Marina.
Security:
Lift and lock your dinghy—thefts have been reported. The most recent in March 2021 when a yacht in Tank Bay had their unsecured dinghy and outboard untied during the night. The dinghy was recovered the following day minus the 15HP outboard, fuel tank, fuel line and oars. As reported by CSSN.
Last updated: March 2021
Related Businesses
Antigua Slipway
Address: Po Box 576, St. John's, English Harbour, Antigua & Barbuda,
A full service marina and boatyard situated on the starboard side after entering English Harbour just after the fuel dock.Facilities and services include power, water, wifi,... Read More
Antigua Yacht Club & Marina
Address: Falmouth Harbour, English Harbour, Antigua, Antigua & Barbuda,
All facilities, fuel, WiFi, 24hr security, laundry, restaurant, accommodation. Weekly and monthly membership available for visitors.
Located on the southeast shore of Falmouth Harbour.... Read More
Nelsons Dockyard Marina
Address: Nelsons Dockyard National Park, PO Box 1283, St. John's, West Indies, English Harbour, Antigua, Antigua & Barbuda,
A working historic dockyard and marina with all facilities. Every facility you can think of available close by.
Located in English Harbour.... Read More
Yacht Clubs
Related Businesses
Antigua Yacht Club & Marina
Address: Falmouth Harbour, English Harbour, Antigua, Antigua & Barbuda,
All facilities, fuel, WiFi, 24hr security, laundry, restaurant, accommodation. Weekly and monthly membership available for visitors.
Located on the southeast shore of Falmouth Harbour.... Read More
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